The US military has confirmed more mistaken shipments of lethal anthrax than previously reported.
The Pentagon said on Wednesday that small concentrations of suspected live anthrax bacteria were shipped to 51 labs in 17 states, not the earlier report of 12 states.
These samples have been sent to US states of California and Florida, as well as to Australia, Canada. Some officials say the number of labs involved likely would rise, as about 300 laboratories are said to work with anthrax in the US.
But officials are trying to play down fears of any serious health risk, saying there's no risk to public.